Volvo Repair: Transmission light flashing, volvo specialist, hydraulic failure

Question
The transmission warning light (aka winter drive light) on my 2002 Volvo V40 with about 54,000 miles came on and flashing while driving yesterday.  I checked the fluid level and it was fine, but the gasket in the cap was out of position slightly.  After fixing the gasket for the transmission fluid reservoir, the light was still on yesterday.  Today the light is off and the transmission seems fine.  Any idea?

Answer
Well i don't know what resevoir you were checking, but there aren't any transmission resevoirs on the V40.  At least not here in the U.S.  The level is chacked on a dipstick down between the transmission and the radiator.  The flashing transmission light means that the Transmission Control Module (TCM) registered a fault in the transmission control somewhere.  It could be a hydraulic failure, a major transmission internal failure, or a control module failure.  You will need to have the car hooked up to a diagnostic computer to find out what is going on.  Any shhop will have the tools to read the computer, they may or may not understand the information they get out of it though.  The trouble codes are very specialized and most shops usually only understand the generic codes.  I would recommend taking it to a dealer or volvo specialist.  Only then will you know what is going on.

James